dreamed of living on a hill. Like, a BIG hill….. a hill that is borderline a small mountain! I grew up living in the country and my parent’s house is on a small hill and I loved it! Whenever I travel over Afton Mountain, I just think of how awesome it would be to walk out on my front porch and be able to see for MILES and MILES! Hey, a girl can dream. Last week I shot a quick session for our friend’s Craig and Jessica in Crozet, VA. This little town outside of Charlottesville stole my heart. The rolling hills and old victorian style homes are breathtaking.  As we traveled down the country roads, we found a random

really rainy evening the night I drove down to meet Jason and Jackie for the first time. I lugged my sample albums into a little mexican place and we sat and talked and I loved them.  I ended up shooting their wedding, a close friend’s wedding and then Jackie’s brother’s wedding too! I think it’s easy to see that I love this family. There is just something about them. Maybe it’s the country-ness of the Hodges side of the family… or maybe it’s how genuinely sweet Jason and Jackie’s personalities are… I just really love them.  So months and months ago (before I stopped offering portraits), Jackie contacted me and told me they were expecting…

anyone moves to a new place and starts a new phase of life, they’re always hoping to find someone who will be really receptive and welcoming.  When Michael and I moved to Short Pump, we were praying for just that. We were ALMOST married, Michael was starting a new job and was VERY new to the whole “full time youth pastor” thing, we just bought our first house, and we were starting over in a new church and a new community for the FIRST time in our lives. Uhhhh, we were a little overwhelmed. One of the greatest blessings of this past year and a half has been the support and friendships that we have gained at our new church.

is a strange post to write. This is senior session… but it’s not any senior… it’s my little brother. Corey is 6 years younger than me and I say he’s my “little” brother but that title really doesn’t fit anymore.  He’s taller than me and we realized several months ago that I have to start hugging him differently. I used to put my arm around his shoulder… now his shoulders are way too tall for that. He’s all grown up! If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you’ve heard all about Corey.  You’ve heard about his golfing, his dream of becoming a pilot , his first solo flight and how he serves other people like no other 17 year old I’ve ever met.

busy busy busy. We leave for our fall youth retreat and then I leave from the retreat to shoot my second to last weeding of the YEAR! I’m so excited for these last two weddings but I’m also excited for a break! 4 engagement sessions, 1 workshop and 2 weddings to go!  I can see the light!! So today is just a little post for a little man that has stole our hearts. Baby Mason was born on October 23rd and we actually got to see him and hold him on his actual BIRTHDAY! He’s tiny and cute. Michael and I love watching this new phase of like unfold for Seth and Em. The key word there is “watching”. We’re so not in the “baby” phase right now